Tibetan Headlines
May 8: Travel Restricted
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has highlighted the way in which laws in China are preventing Tibetans from the Tibet Autonomous Region from travelling abroad, contravening their human right to the freedom of movement, including the right to leave their country. Under these laws, passports are confiscated, preventing people from travelling outside China and further restrictions prevent Tibetans from travelling to religious ceremonies and sacred sites.
May 7: EU Pressures China
The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Federica Mogherini, has been urged by 52 Members of the European Parliament to raise the issue of Tibet with Chinese leaders during her stay in Beijing for the 5th China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue. They reminded Mrs Mogherini of the EU resolution to address the human rights situation in Tibet at every meeting with representatives of the People's Republic of China.
May 7: Another Release
Samdrub Gyatso, in his 30s, has been released from Lhasa’s Drapchi prison and brought back to Serthang town in Dashi county in the Tsojan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He was detained in 2010 following a solitary protest in front of the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, and served a five year sentence. He was also detained in 2009 after a trip to India, accused of having brought back books written by the Dalai Lama.
May 6: Violations of Freedom
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommendedthat the US State Department re-designates China as a “country of particular concern”, where “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” are perpetrated or tolerated, saying that China imposes “harsh policies of repression on Buddhists” across the Tibetan plateau. The USCIRF report documents religious freedom violations in 33 countries.
May 5: Prisoner Released
Jigme Samten, 30, a monk from Gyalmo monastery, has been released after serving four years in prison Sangchu County in Amdo, eastern Tibet, on charges of leading a protest against the Chinese government during the 2008 nationwide uprising in Tibet. Local Tibetans welcomed him home and celebrated his release with khataks (ceremonial scarves) and a convoy of vehicles.
May 4: Freed!
Sonam Gyatso and Sangay Khar, who were arrested earlier from Gengya nomadic village in Tibet's Sangchu County have been released and four others who were summoned for questioning hava also been released. The local Tibetans have called off their protest about the detentions. They were all arrested for their involvement in local protests against a government highway expansion project and demanding compensation for their local community.
May 2: Sikyong Meets BJP
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, met the Indian government Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Amit Shah, together with other senior BJP leaders in Dharamshala. Sikyong and his team briefed them about the current critical situation inside Tibet and expressed gratitude to India for giving sanctuary to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. The Indian delegation assured Sikyong of their continued support.
May 2: Protesters Detained
Tibetan villagers have been protesting against a road construction at Mini mountain near Awong village in the Chamdo prefecture; the road is linked to plans for mining on a sacred mountain in Tibet's Gonjo county. Some villagers have been detained and many were badly injured by the Chinese authorities in a clash at the site. The local government hospital has refused to treat the injured.
May 1: Museum Launch
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, has inaugurated the new, redesigned Tibet Museum located at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in in Mcleod Ganj. Dr Sangay drew attention to the museum’s work on the preservation of Tibetan history and culture. The redesign was funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Rowell Fund for Tibet.
Apr 30: Concern for Lo Lo
Lo Lo, the Tibetan singer currently serving six years in prison in Siling city in Qinqhai, is reportedly in very poor health. His family has been refused permission to visit him and take him clothes and food. Lo Lo has been in prison for two years, arrested for singing politically charged songs calling for Tibet’s independence. He was arrested during the crackdown on Tibetan intellectuals, writers, and artistes.
Apr 29: Protesters Arrested
Sonam Gyatso and Sangay Khar, two Tibetans from Gengya nomadic village, have been arrested and four others are missing, feared to be also under arrest, in Tibet's Sangchu County. They have been part of the protests against the ongoing forced acquisition of grazing land which is being acquired for highway expansion. Local Tibetans are now protesting outside the government offices, demanding their release.
Apr 27: Remembering ‘Quake Victims
A prayer service is being held in Tsuglakahng, the main temple in Dharamshala, organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), to offer prayers for those who lost their lives in the major earthquake in Nepal, which has also killed 17 people over the border in Tibet. The CTA is donating NPR 20 Laks to the government of Nepal towards its rescue and relief efforts in the country.
Apr 26: Human Rights Defenders
Kalon Dicki Chhoyang from the Central Tibetan Administration attended the 5th biennial Nobel Women’s Initiative international conference held in the Netherlands and hosted by six women Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. The theme was how best to protect women human rights defenders. Kalon Dicki Chhoyang moderated a panel discussion and spoke about Tibetan women as human rights defenders in Tibet. Pema Chodon from the Tibetan Women’s Association was also there.
Apr 25: Release the Panchen Lama
Tibetans and supporters celebrated the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima's 26th birthday at a public event in Dharamshala and called for his release from captivity. He was kidnapped at the age of six years soon after his recognition, and has been held in China for 20 years. The event was jointly organised by the local chapters of the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association and Students for a Free Tibet, India.
Apr 24: Chamber of Commerce
The 10th annual meeting of the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce is underway in Dharamshala and a tthe inaugural function, Dr Lobsang Sangay, head of the Tibetan Administration in Exile, urged businessmen to take on additional leadership towards the development of Tibetan communities. He gave examples of philanthropic tycoons and urged Chamber members to do the same in Tibetan society.